One of our latest grant recipients from far out Hawaii just wrote us an incredible note with some personal history and how Meredith's Miracles was able to benefit her...
Talofa and Aloha!!!
My name is LorMona Meredith (most people call me
Mona). I am Samoan and a mother to two
adorable children – Marilei Lemalie, my 9 year old daughter and Adruen Daniel,
my 5 year old son. I am a single parent and I have worked for the University
of Hawa'ii at the Hawai'i Institute of Marine Biology (HIMB) for
approximately five years as the HIMB Office Manager. I love music (all kinds), reading, going to
church, learning new things, spending
time with my children and family, and helping those in need.
I have had
chronic abdominal pain and related-health issues for the past 3 and half years
with different diagnoses - irritable bowel syndrome, cholecystisis etc. No one
could really tell me what was wrong with me nor could they explain why I kept
having mysterious stomach aches. I began to live with the pain and accepted it
as a ‘normal’ way of life. On yet another visit to the doctor’s office for the
same stomach pain, a nurse practitioner looked at my history and concluded that
it was the gall stones in my gall bladder that was the culprit. She suggested
surgery. In 2011 I underwent cholecystostomy but a few days later was
hospitalized due to a postoperative bile leak in my stomach cavity. Recently, a
large tumor was discovered developing within the walls of my digestive system
and in early March 2013 I was diagnosed with moderately differentiated
ardenocarcinoma – Stage 3 Colon Cancer. I had an open subtotal colocetomy in late
March 2013 to remove the tumor, and I am currently undergoing chemotherapy
treatment. I am on leave from work and did not qualify for temporary disability
benefit income due to exhausting all of my sick leave. Family and friends have
helped me stay financially afloat these past few months, and have been my rock
and support network during this time.
My social
worker and friend told me about Meredith’s Miracles Colon Cancer Foundation. I
read about Meredith’s story and I immediately felt like I could relate to her! I turned to Meredith’s Miracles for help and
not only did they give me the help that I so desperately needed, they also gave
me hope! They paid for some of my rental expenses and wanted to hear and share
my story. I am grateful to Meredith’s Miracles for not only helping my little
family out, but for the aloha (love), comfort and hope they give to others who
are facing similar battles. One day, when I am well and back on my feet, I hope
to give back to this great organization and to others who have shown me this
great kindness. Thank you Meredith’s Miracles for truly blessing my family with
your gift of aloha and hope. Thank you all for making these miracles happen!
God
Bless!!!
LorMona L.
Meredith
Kaneohe,
Hawai’i
Thank you LorMona for sharing your story with us! Keep at it girl - keep fighting! We love hearing from our grant recipients and receiving updates on their lives; that is something that makes the hard work put into the foundation totally worth it.
